A 15-YEAR-OLD Harper Green pupil has been found hanged near Clifton Country Park.

Emotional tributes have been paid to James Jones, who was found hanged in a wooded area near Kearsley on Monday.

James, who lived in Lawefield Crescent, Clifton, was a pupil at Harper Green School in Farnworth, where staff described him as “absolutely lovely” and a “polite young man”.

The year 11 pupil would have been preparing to sit his GCSE exams this summer.

James’ body was found on land near Ellen Grove, Kearlsey, at about 7.40pm on Monday.

Police have ruled out any foul play and said his death will be passed to the coroner.

Harper Green headteacher Andrew Foster said the teenager’s death has come as a shock — and that he had no problems at school.

Mr Foster said: “James was a well-behaved and polite young man who is described as ‘absolutely lovely’ by all his teachers and friends.

"He was a conscientious pupil with a keen interest in chess, which he played avidly with a close group of friends."

He added: “James will be greatly missed at Harper Green. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very difficult time for them.”

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James was found by Rob Gordon, aged 36, of Corrie Drive, Clifton, who was out walking his dog on Monday evening.

He said: “I went to take the dog out for a walk at about 7.30pm.

“I went down to the woods and came across what I now know was James.

“I called my neighbour. I felt very shocked. It was surreal. At first I thought it was a dummy or something or kids having a laugh.

“When you first see something like that you think to yourself 'is it real? Is it not?'

“My son was very good friends with him.

“Every time I have seen James, he has come across as a fun, easygoing kid.

"He was always out with the other kids having a laugh and a joke like kids do.

“He was an outgoing kid like all the others — he never seemed to have any problems on his mind.”

The death has shocked his friends, who have posted tributes on Facebook.

Paul Jones wrote: “R.I.P James Jones you will be missed loads little bro.”

Aran O'Mahoney wrote: “R.i.P love you James you were the funniest out of the lot,” while Forhan Ahmed said: “James might gone from us but he still in our heart”.

Olivia Marriott added: “rip james you will be missed, I can't believe it."

A spokesman for Salford City Council said: “We understand police are preparing a file for the coroner. This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Police were called to an area near to Ellen Grove at around 7.40pm on Monday 28 April 2014.

“Officers arrived and discovered the body of a 15-year-old boy.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.”

Bolton Council is now offering support to James family and pupils at Harper Green.

Margaret Asquith, the council's director of adult and children’s services, said: “We are extremely sorry to hear of this sad death and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.

"Children’s services’ specialist staff are working with the school and his family to ensure that appropriate support is available to anyone who knew him.”

This is just so sad. Teens have a lot of things going on in their heads these days. They can be very deep. I think that these sad things that happen are a sorry reflection of the general state of the society we are living in nowadays. There aren't the same moral boundaries anymore and us adults are just not setting a good enough example to them. I can understand why they get so confused and upset about stuff that they really shouldn't be worrying about. It breaks my heart to keep reading stories like this.

This is just so sad. Teens have a lot of things going on in their heads these days. They can be very deep. I think that these sad things that happen are a sorry reflection of the general state of the society we are living in nowadays. There aren't the same moral boundaries anymore and us adults are just not setting a good enough example to them. I can understand why they get so confused and upset about stuff that they really shouldn't be worrying about. It breaks my heart to keep reading stories like this.wouldyouliketospeaktothemanincharge

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesus

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesusthe hand

Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.

Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.BoltonLancs

the hand wrote:
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesus

Nonsense...Jesus is dead, no arms for anyone to rest in....You make your decisions and when it is over it is over...

1. Science gives you all the answers, no cryptic writing but tested, quantifiable, repeatable experimentation.

2. Religion has a story book...Bible

[quote][p][bold]the hand[/bold] wrote:
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesus[/p][/quote]Nonsense...Jesus is dead, no arms for anyone to rest in....You make your decisions and when it is over it is over...
1. Science gives you all the answers, no cryptic writing but tested, quantifiable, repeatable experimentation.
2. Religion has a story book...BibleComment777

If you're struggling with anything, feeling suicidal, or even upset about this story and need someone to talk to, please, just call Samaritans! It's what they're there for. 08457 909090

It's always tragic when someone dies in this way.

If you're struggling with anything, feeling suicidal, or even upset about this story and need someone to talk to, please, just call Samaritans! It's what they're there for. 08457 909090
It's always tragic when someone dies in this way.MissPeg

science doesn't give answers, it proposes theories. Nobody knows the answer, just as we will never know why this unfortunate young lad made his choice. Will mental illness ever be taken seriously?

science doesn't give answers, it proposes theories. Nobody knows the answer, just as we will never know why this unfortunate young lad made his choice. Will mental illness ever be taken seriously?Citizen Cane

BoltonLancs wrote:
Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.

People often say this. It was no different from when I was an adolescent in the late 80's early 90's. There was just as much peer pressure then, just as much bullying, same pressures from school. Kids are under no more pressure today than we were then. we weren't hanging ourselves in droves, we just got on with it, dealt with it. Infact I only heard of it happening once. Sure there were no cell phones and internet then, but kids went out more in those days, so it was still ever present. The problem with todays youth is theyre wrapped in cotton wool by parents and the system and then fall apart when things get tough.

[quote][p][bold]BoltonLancs[/bold] wrote:
Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.[/p][/quote]People often say this. It was no different from when I was an adolescent in the late 80's early 90's. There was just as much peer pressure then, just as much bullying, same pressures from school. Kids are under no more pressure today than we were then. we weren't hanging ourselves in droves, we just got on with it, dealt with it. Infact I only heard of it happening once. Sure there were no cell phones and internet then, but kids went out more in those days, so it was still ever present. The problem with todays youth is theyre wrapped in cotton wool by parents and the system and then fall apart when things get tough.melloj

BoltonLancs wrote:
Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.

People often say this. It was no different from when I was an adolescent in the late 80's early 90's. There was just as much peer pressure then, just as much bullying, same pressures from school. Kids are under no more pressure today than we were then. we weren't hanging ourselves in droves, we just got on with it, dealt with it. Infact I only heard of it happening once. Sure there were no cell phones and internet then, but kids went out more in those days, so it was still ever present. The problem with todays youth is theyre wrapped in cotton wool by parents and the system and then fall apart when things get tough.

I agree totally about the peer pressures we all had, in my case a few years earlier than you melloj, and that it will forever be. Ofstead reports, school results and teacher stats are the added pressures that have increased since then, and in my opinion have added stresses across the board, affecting children the most. When I go to parents evenings, teachers immediately bring out charts, pre-exam stats, current level grades, potential results. Our parents spoke to teachers on a personal matter, on a human level, hardly any numbers were mentioned. Our kids must have this stat drivel forced down their throats on a daily basis. It's a case of number crunching above teaching. And it's so sad that when pupils are given a potential mark before one of the umpteen tests every term, but don't make it, that a sense of failure is sure to exist. And all this is on top of peer pressure.. Finland has it right...

[quote][p][bold]melloj[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BoltonLancs[/bold] wrote:
Soooo much pressure on kids these days, not only from peers but todays school system of school results, stats and Ofstead reports having more importance than the well-being of children. My kids go to that school and although we are unsure of the reason for poor James' decision, I would not rule out school pressure contributed. Many times my kids have been taken ill in the morning, but we aren't told til after dinner to collect them just so they get their afternoon mark and the school's attendance figures look good, sod the condition of the child... Sorry, I ramble but my point is valid about children being used. Heartbreaking that James felt there was one way out. RIP.[/p][/quote]People often say this. It was no different from when I was an adolescent in the late 80's early 90's. There was just as much peer pressure then, just as much bullying, same pressures from school. Kids are under no more pressure today than we were then. we weren't hanging ourselves in droves, we just got on with it, dealt with it. Infact I only heard of it happening once. Sure there were no cell phones and internet then, but kids went out more in those days, so it was still ever present. The problem with todays youth is theyre wrapped in cotton wool by parents and the system and then fall apart when things get tough.[/p][/quote]I agree totally about the peer pressures we all had, in my case a few years earlier than you melloj, and that it will forever be. Ofstead reports, school results and teacher stats are the added pressures that have increased since then, and in my opinion have added stresses across the board, affecting children the most. When I go to parents evenings, teachers immediately bring out charts, pre-exam stats, current level grades, potential results. Our parents spoke to teachers on a personal matter, on a human level, hardly any numbers were mentioned. Our kids must have this stat drivel forced down their throats on a daily basis. It's a case of number crunching above teaching. And it's so sad that when pupils are given a potential mark before one of the umpteen tests every term, but don't make it, that a sense of failure is sure to exist. And all this is on top of peer pressure.. Finland has it right...BoltonLancs

the hand wrote:
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesus

Nonsense...Jesus is dead, no arms for anyone to rest in....You make your decisions and when it is over it is over...

1. Science gives you all the answers, no cryptic writing but tested, quantifiable, repeatable experimentation.

2. Religion has a story book...Bible

You are a job this was a tribute cal for a very sad story to try and help the family and friends of James not turn it into a debate about the bible but hey I'll be watching you oh sick one

[quote][p][bold]Comment777[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]the hand[/bold] wrote:
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very hard time I'm sure James will be greatly missed such a shame that someone so young should feel the need to take his own life with so much that life has to offer for the youth of today this is a real tragedy and a lesson for all parents to treasure their young ones help them to live life to the full rest in peace jAmes safe in the arms of jesus[/p][/quote]Nonsense...Jesus is dead, no arms for anyone to rest in....You make your decisions and when it is over it is over...
1. Science gives you all the answers, no cryptic writing but tested, quantifiable, repeatable experimentation.
2. Religion has a story book...Bible[/p][/quote]You are a job this was a tribute cal for a very sad story to try and help the family and friends of James not turn it into a debate about the bible but hey I'll be watching you oh sick onethe hand